Jay man accused of terrorizing police with fireworks

JAY (Sun Journal) -- A Jay man is accused of threatening to light a mortar-style firework to throw at a police officer in his cruiser, Police Chief Richard Caton IV said.

Douglas Fletcher, 35, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of terrorizing and disorderly conduct for loud unreasonable noise, the chief said.

Officer Dylan Rider responded to a complaint of noise at about 11:21 p.m. Friday on Keep Road and warned Fletcher to stop setting off fireworks, Canton said.

After Rider got in his cruiser to leave, Fletcher lit another firework and walked up to the cruiser with a mortar-style firework and a lighter. Caton said it looked like Fletcher was going to light it and throw it at Rider.

Fletcher did not have a permit from the Jay Fire Rescue Department to use fireworks, as required by town ordinance, the chief said.

A conviction on a terrorizing charge is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and up to a $2,000 fine. A conviction on a disorderly conduct charge is punishable by up to six months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.

Fletcher posted $250 cash bail and released Saturday from the Franklin County Detention Center.